WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, today issued the following statement in response to comments made by White House Spokesman Jay Carney that legislation passed unanimously by Congress to restore halted death benefits to the families of fallen services members is “not necessary:”

“While the damage cannot be fully undone, Congress has spoken and acted in a bipartisan way to rectify the outrageous treatment the families of our fallen heroes received this week. Now, we’re learning the President has taken his political obstinacy to a new low and believes the legislation Congress has passed to right this wrong is ‘not necessary.’

“Not only is this legislation necessary it’s the moral obligation of this nation and it’s the spoken will of Congress that we deliver immediate assistance to the families of fallen service members.

“I call on the President to sign this necessary legislation without delay. Anything less would represent dereliction of duty by our commander in chief.”

Earlier today, the Senate passed the House-approved H.J. Res. 91, the Honoring the Families of Fallen Soldiers Act. Sen. Cornyn called up the bill in the Senate and succeeded in passing it. The Honoring the Families of Fallen Soldiers Act reinstates benefits for surviving family members, including the death gratuity payment, funeral and burial expenses, travel expenses, the dignified transfer of remains, and a housing allowance.

Senator Cornyn serves on the Finance and Judiciary Committees. He serves as the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee’s Immigration, Refugees and Border Security subcommittee. He served previously as Texas Attorney General, Texas Supreme Court Justice, and Bexar County District Judge.